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Diabetes Caregivers Need to Take Care of Themselves Too

Although you may be worried about your loved one with type 2 diabetes, don't forget about your own needs.

Millions of people with type 2 diabetes can care for themselves. But others, whose medical situations are more complicated or extensive, may need help from friends or family who then take on the role of caregiver.

Caring for someone with diabetes is not easy. "Diabetes is a ‘high-maintenance’ illness that requires ongoing monitoring, intervention, and adherence to specific dietary and lifestyle requirements," says Pilar Poal, PhD, a licensed psychologist in the suburban Philadelphia office of the Council for Relationships. "It can take a toll on patients and caregivers, unless their physical and emotional needs are also attended to on an ongoing basis."

Type 2 Diabetes: How Caregiving Affects Caregivers

Studies have shown that caregivers have higher stress levels than they would if they weren’t caring for someone. They may also be at greater risk of dying earlier than those who don’t have such stress. The responsibilities of caring for a person with diabetes can make caregivers neglect their own needs, intentionally or unintentionally.

Poal explains that taking care of your "physical and emotional needs is not a ‘luxury’ but essential to providing continued care and support." Exhaustion and health problems are common physical problems when you neglect your own physical needs. "Social withdrawal, depression, irritability and anger are emotional symptoms associated with caregivers’ stress."

Type 2 Diabetes Caregiving: Lowering Stress Levels

One way to lower stress is to be sure you understand what you’re dealing with. Finding out that someone you love has diabetes can be very upsetting; not knowing what to do, even more so. So first, you need to get as much information as you can regarding type 2 diabetes and the type of care your loved one needs. This may mean visiting the doctor, diabetes educator, or clinic along with your loved one, contacting your local American Diabetes Association chapter, or finding the information you need online.

As time goes on, as much as you feel you know what needs to be done, you may notice that you’re neglecting yourself in favor of caring for your loved one. When that happens, it’s important to step back and take stock of what’s happening. If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to care for anyone else.

Type 2 Diabetes Caregiving: Ask for Help

It's not unusual for people outside the caregiving relationship to not understand what the caregiver needs. Unless you speak up, you may not get the help you need and you may end up being resentful and even more burned out.

Poal explains, "Developing a network of family, friends, and community resources is an important step towards minimizing your stress." She emphasizes that you need to be specific: "It may be that you need help with a specific task, or an errand or just someone to take over for a few hours so that you can take a break" to take a walk, visit with friends, or go to the gym.

Taking care of yourself also includes eating well and getting enough rest to re-energize yourself.

Type 2 Diabetes Caregiving: Relationships Change

When the caregiver is a spouse, the situation becomes more complicated: There’s the issue of changing roles. Poal says, "Communication becomes critical when the caregiver is providing care for a spouse. In these situations, certain relationship roles shift as a result of the illness and it helps to find ways to rebalance the relationship so that both partners can be caretakers and caregivers of each other in some way."

Giving care to someone who needs it can be very rewarding and often strengthens relationships — but you need to remember that you’re not being selfish by putting yourself first sometimes. Someone needs to take care of the caregiver.